Austria gives green light to Grand Prix

Amid the global pandemic, the government of Austria has given a go-ahead to Grand Prix to start its crowd-free season from July 5 and 12.

The country’s health ministry has confirmed that Formula One can start its season in Austria with two races behind closed doors scheduled on July 5 and July 12 2020.

Media reports said that the delayed championship was planned to be held in Australia, however, canceled due to the rising cases of novel coronavirus cases in the country,

The Austrian Grand Prix circuit is near the village of Spielberg about 200 km (124 miles) southwest of the capital Vienna.  Formula One is expected to publish a revamped calendar early next week with a race in neighboring Hungary, also without spectators, following on from Austria. Formula 1 teams are allowed a maximum of 80 personnel in the paddock, although the addition of the track’s support and medical staff means that number will still be over 1000.

Two races will then follow at Silverstone in Britain, with Hockenheim in Germany an alternative if quarantine conditions are an obstacle, with further rounds in Spain, Belgium and Italy.

The sport has said it hopes to do between 15-18 races, a reduction from the originally scheduled record 22, ending the season in Abu Dhabi in December after visiting Asia and the Americas.

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Earlier Chairman and CEO of Formula One Chase Carey said:

“We are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer,” “We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and (the) beginning of September.” “September, October and November would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races.”

In addition to this Carey said “Formula One had been working closely with teams and promoters and a definitive calendar would be published as soon
as possible.”